Should you visit Istanbul or Geneva?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Geneva, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
Which city is cheaper, Geneva or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $81, while the average daily cost in Geneva is $166. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Istanbul and Geneva in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $100 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $230 for a double occupancy room in Geneva.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around $20 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $8.00.
In Geneva travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Istanbul $20
Geneva $42
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice
$0.20
-
Turkish Delight
$0.06
-
Dessert
$0.85
-
Pastries
$0.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
-
Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
-
Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
-
Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
-
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
-
Taste My Swiss City Self-Guided Food Tour:
$77
-
Old Geneva food tour:
$268
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.72 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
The cost of a taxi ride in Geneva is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.44 per person, per day, on local transportation in Geneva.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
$0.28
-
Local Bus
$0.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
2 Ways Istanbul Airport Transfer:
$56
-
2 Ways Istanbul Airport Transfer:
$109
-
2 Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfer:
$56
-
2-Hour Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Transfers:
$500
-
2m Transfer:
$85
-
4-Day Istanbul City Package including Full-Day Istanbul City Tour plus Airport Transfers:
$350
-
4-Day Wonderful Istanbul Including Accommodation Plus Transfer:
$474
-
Air Transfer Lines | Airport Transfer Service:
$44
-
Airport Transfer, Hotel Tranfer, Shuttle Service, Taxi Service:
$26
-
Airport private transfer to hotel and back:
$109
-
Arrival Private Transfers from New Airport IST to Istanbul in Business Car:
$123
-
City Center to Istanbul Airport (IST) Departure Transfers:
$87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
-
Private Departure Transfer: Geneva Hotel to Geneva Airport:
$37
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Geneva to Geneva International Airport (GVA):
$39
-
Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Van Transfer:
$41
-
Superior Private Transfer from Geneva Hotels to Geneva Airport:
$47
-
Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Car Transfer:
$68
-
Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Car Transfer:
$68
-
Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$68
-
VIP Transfer:
$74
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$93
-
Geneva Departure Private Transfers from Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA:
$95
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Car:
$100
-
Private Transfer from Geneva City to Geneva Airport:
$100
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Geneva?
Prices for flights to both Geneva and Istanbul change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of $29 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment and activities in Geneva typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
-
Just Hagia Sophia Tour /Skip The Lines:
$8.71
-
VR Dervish Experience:
$10
-
Museum of Illusions Istanbul Ticket:
$11
-
Piri Self-Guided Audio Tour: Istanbul, Historical Peninsula:
$11
-
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour:
$12
-
Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu Pier with Audio App:
$12
-
Basilica Cistern VIP Tickets:
$12
-
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque&Hippodrome Guided Tours Everyday /No que / No line!:
$12
-
Vip Ticket For Hagi̇a Sophi̇a:
$12
-
SEA LIFE Istanbul Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Istanbul LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Hagia Sophia: Entry with Guided Tour:
$16
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise:
$20
-
International District and Lake Geneva Shore Tour:
$27
-
Geneva City Tour:
$64
-
Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva:
$80
-
Independent Chamonix and Mont Blanc Tour from Geneva:
$90
-
Geneva E-Bike Tour Lake Leman and Old Town:
$93
-
From Yvoire Castle & Lake Geneva Cruise:
$98
-
Chamonix, Mont-Blanc Day Tour from Geneva:
$107
-
Annecy Half-Day Trip + Geneva City Tour:
$128
-
Europa-Park Theme Park Ticket with Transport from Geneva:
$172
-
Chamonix Day Trip and Geneva city tour:
$178
-
Full Bahir Dar Tour, Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Fall:
$204
Alcohol
The average person spends about $7.22 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Geneva may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:
-
Seneca Lake Wine Tasting & Tour:
$167
-
Farms, Flights: Finger Lakes Brewery Tour:
$180
-
Lavaux Panoramic Wine Tour from Geneva:
$289
-
Winter ski tour: Wine tasting tour in Rhine region:
$746
-
Swiss Wine Tasting at Lavaux Vineyards: Private Trip From Geneva:
$1,097
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Istanbul.
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